Ex-NCT Member Taeil Receives Prison Sentence for Rape Charge

Taeil of NCT Sentenced for Sexual Assault

Former NCT member Moon Tae-il, known simply as Taeil, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison following his involvement in the sexual assault of a Chinese tourist in South Korea. The ruling was delivered by the Seoul Central District Court on July 10, 2025, where the 31-year-old was found guilty of aggravated quasi-rape.

Details of the Assault

The court found that Taeil, along with two associates referred to as Lee and Hong, sexually assaulted an intoxicated woman in June 2024. The men met the victim at a bar located in Seoul’s Itaewon district, where she became heavily intoxicated after consuming drinks with them. Subsequently, they took her by taxi to Lee’s home, where they assaulted her while she was incapacitated and unable to consent.

Legal Context and Sentencing

Under South Korean law, the severe nature of this crime was classified as “aggravated rape”due to the involvement of multiple offenders, while the term “quasi-rape”was used because the victim was incapacitated. All three men admitted guilt to the charges in June 2025. The court characterized the assault as “extremely grave, ”observing that the psychological toll on the victim, a foreign tourist, must have been considerable, especially amidst the distressing circumstances of the attack.

Despite the gravity of the offense, the judge’s sentence was notably less than the seven-year period recommended by prosecutors. The reduction in the sentence was attributed to the defendants being first-time offenders and their acceptance of responsibility for their actions.

Consequences for the Defendants

Following the verdict, all three men were taken into custody. Alongside the prison sentence, the court mandated that they complete 40 hours of a sexual violence treatment program. Additionally, they face a five-year prohibition from working in any capacity involving children or adolescents.

Taeil’s Departure from NCT

Taeil’s expulsion from NCT occurred in August 2024, shortly after the initial sexual assault allegations came to light. At that time, the specifics surrounding the incident were not disclosed. SM Entertainment, the management company of NCT, stated that the severity of the allegations rendered it impossible for Taeil to continue with group activities.

In October 2024, the agency officially terminated Taeil’s contract, citing a breakdown of trust with the artist. As a principal vocalist for NCT and its subunits, such as NCT U and NCT 127, Taeil had been a foundational member of the globally renowned K-pop group since its inception in 2016.

Public Reaction and Industry Impact

The verdict has ignited public outrage, with many expressing that the sentence is disproportionately lenient for such a serious crime. Social media platforms are buzzing with criticism regarding the short length of the imprisonment, leading some to highlight deeper systemic issues within South Korea’s judicial approach to sexual offenses involving high-profile individuals.

Since Taeil’s removal from the group, NCT has not produced any new music, raising questions about the long-term effects of this case on the K-pop industry and its accountability mechanisms toward protecting vulnerable persons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvJZEaW4dso

K-Pop Star & Former NCT Member Taeil Sentenced To Over 3 Years In Prison For Rape (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvJZEaW4dso)

Source&Images